The Vilnian Baroque (Lithuanian: Vilnietiškas barokas, Polish: barok wileński, Belarusian: Віленскае барока) or the School of Vilnius Baroque (Lithuanian: Vilniaus baroko mokykla, Polish: wileńska szkoła baroku, Belarusian: Школа віленскага барока) is a name of late Baroque architecture style in Catholic church architecture of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which expanded well into Greek Catholic church architecture on territories covered by the Union of Brest.[1] [2] [3] The style was formed by alumnus of the Catholic Jesuits' Vilnius University. Most preserved buildings in this style are in Vilnius.[4] [3] [5]
The architect Johann Christoph Glaubitz is considered to be one of the founders of Vilnian Baroque. Working on restoration of churches in Vilnius, he was often inspired by contemporary buildings of Austria and Bavaria. Polish churches created by are also made in Vilnian Baroque style. Although being predominantly Catholic style of architecture, Vilnian Baroque was also popular among the Uniates which gave the style its second name ‘Uniate Baroque’. Another famous architect Thomas Zebrowski also designed and supervised constructions of Vilnian Baroque churches in Lithuania and Belarus.[6]
Vilnian Baroque is characterized by upward striving outlooks, two towers symmetry, overall lightness of shapes. In this regard the style is opposed to the so-called that was widespread in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the late XVII — early XVIII centuries.[7] [2] [3] Other features of the Vilnian Baroque include differently decorated compartments, undulation of cornices and walls, decorativeness in bright colors, and multi-colored marble and stucco altars in the interiors.[7] [3] [8]